长城与统一的多民族国家的形成

THE GREAT WALL AND THE FORMATION OF A NATION OF MULTI-NATIONALITY

中国古代历史上长城的修筑始于春秋战国时期，迄于公元１７世纪４０年代明王朝灭亡。在这二千余年中，共有大小１９个王朝修筑过不同走向和长度的长城。其中１４个王朝的长城出现在分裂王朝时期，５个王朝的长城出现在中原王朝时期，３个中央王朝时期没有出现长城现象。从我国统一多民族国家的形成和发展历史看待长城，它具有产生于分裂，服务于割剧的一面。

The building of the Great Wall began in the Spring and Autumn period and the period of Warring States and lasted untill 17th century when the Ming Dynasty ended. During these over 2000 years 19 dynasties in all built the Great Wall of different direction and different length. Among them 14 were disrupted dynasties, 5 were dynasties established in Central China, and there were ANOTHER 3 were centralized dynasties which did not contribute to the building of the Geat Wall. Viewed from the history of the formation and development of China as a country of multi-nationality, the Great Wall emerged in times of disruption of the country and served the purpose of separation. Therefore one must not speak too highly of the Great Wall.